Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew 7:7 NIV)
Did you ever notice that the word question has quest in it? Ever since, my friend, Lynni, pointed this out, I have approached questions with a whole new zeal. I love journeys, adventures and quests. Especially quests that involve words. My favorite kind of quest is searching a trail through the dictionary. I start out looking for the definition of one word, and that leads to another and then another and another. Sometimes, I even get sidetracked by a word that I wasn't even looking for!
Questions lead us in a quest for deeper knowledge and deeper intimacy with Christ. Asking questions helps to sort out what we believe, and searching for the answers prepares us to give a reason for our hope.
In 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time, Pam Farrel invites us to ask all kinds of questions during our quiet times with the expectation that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the answers. She advises:
Spend a quiet time writing out a list of theological questions that you'd love to know the answer to. Which doctrines do you need to learn more about: eschatology (end times), the person of Christ, the Holy Spirit, baptism, sin or sanctification?
After you've written a list...go to a Christian bookstore to buy a book that will help you study...try asking your pastor what theology books he or she had to read in seminary or Bible college.
Think of questions people who don't know Jesus ask. Make a list and research biblical responses...For example, I have answers to questions like: Why should I wait until marriage for sex? Why should I believe the Bible? What makes Jesus so special? What happens to people who don't accept Jesus? What is heaven like? What is hell like? What does God have to say that will help me be a better parent?
Ask other believers: Why do you still believe, and what has held your faith together all these years? Listen for commonalities.
©Pam Farrel from 30 Ways to Wake Up Your Quiet Time (IVP).
For more devotional books by Pam www.Love-wise.com
To find all the posts for 31 Days of Quiet, click here.
